History VideoGame / GuardianHeroes

* HeroicSacrifice: In ''Advance'', if the player loses to the final boss the first time, Dylan will sacrifice himself to refill the player's health.

For games with similar gameplay to ''Guardian Heroes'', compare and contrast to ''VideoGame/PanzerBandit'', ''VideoGame/CodeOfPrincess'' (a SpiritualSuccessor for the Nintendo3DS), and ''VideoGame/PhantomBreaker''[='=]s retro-styled brawler spin-off, ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds''.

* CompetitiveBalance:
** Han: MightyGlacier
** Randy: FragileSpeedster
** Ginjirou: GlassCannon
** Nicole: LightningBruiser
** Serena: [[JackOfAllStats Jill-of-All-Stats]]
* DarkIsNotEvil / LightIsNotGood: Depending on what path you take.

* CounterAttack: In the original version of ''Guardian Heroes'', if a player is being attacked from behind, pressing the Strong Attack will cause the player to counter from both sides. In the Remix Mode of the HD version, if players have at least 60 MP, they can blow away their attackers and other near-by enemies by pressing the Strong Attack while holding the Guard button.

* CounterAttack: Blocking at the right time to stun and counter enemies is an important combat mechanic of the sequel. Its climax even revolves around it, with the hero reflecting a giant fireball the instant [[labelnote:*]]About 00:00:10 or less.[[/labelnote]] before it hits Earth.

* NonStandardGameOver: Fail to reflect the final boss' DesperationAttack in ''Advance Guardian Heroes'' and watch the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Earth explodes]].

* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore: The American cover replaces the original anime-esque artwork with a fantasy novel-esque illustration depicting Han fighting the Undead Hero (even though he's a good guy). The European cover kept the original art, but for some lame reason they replaced the heroines Serena and Nicole with Zur the magician and Macho the beefcake (who aren't even main characters), turning the cover into a sausage fest.

A magically super-charged BeatEmUp for the UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn by Creator/{{Treasure}}.

A group of adventurers find a powerful magic sword, but unfortunately, so TheEmpire has been looking for that very weapon. A red-armored girl bursts into their room just as Imperial soldiers start streaming in. They fight their way out of the town to a nearby graveyard, only to be confronted by [[SchizoTech a robot]]. No, really. In the middle of a difficult fight, suddenly a massive armored skeleton, the sword's original owner, arises from his grave to claim it.

* CoOpMultiplayer: The Story Mode of the first game allows two players to play through the adventure although the continues are shared among players.

** Serena: [[JackOfAllStats Jill of All Stats]]

* GoshDangItToHeck: Zur in the retranslated script for the remake is all about this, with hilarious results.

* NonStandardGameOver: Fail to reflect the final boss' DesperationAttack in ''Advance Guardian Heroes'' and the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Earth explodes]].

* PlayingTennisWithTheBoss: The sequel is all about this.
** It's what [[spoiler:defeats the final boss, in fact]].

* SpellMyNameWithAnS

* UpdatedRerelease: The HD version features (obviously) optional HD graphics, redrawn character artwork, new A.I., a re-translated script, and online multiplayer with an expanded 12-player Versus Mode. There's also the "Remix" mode of the game that changes quite a lot of how the game is played (you now have three attack buttons instead of two, normal attacks can be canceled with stronger attacks, MP is capped to 100, air-dashing is possible, etc.), although the ability to play the game with the original mechanics are still available in "Original" mode.

[-[[caption-width-right:326:Our heroes, rushing into battle.[[labelnote:Who?]]Clockwise from the left: Serena Corsair; Nicole Neil; Randy M. Green and his familiar, Nando; Ginjirou Ibushi; Samuel Han; and the Undead Warrior.[[/labelnote]]]]-]
A magically-supercharged BeatEmUp for the SegaSaturn by Creator/{{Treasure}}.

''Guardian Heroes'' is, in a word, frantic. Lots of different characters, both playable and enemies, with nearly all of them available in the game's Versus Mode, with full six-player support. The gameplay is mostly two-dimensional, with the action spread across three planes, giving plenty of space for some massively large magic attacks. Of the heroes, each has a wide variety of attacks, plus magic spells which as their levels increase, gets bigger and more destructive. Through the game, you're followed by the aforementioned Undead Hero, who can be given different commands such as protecting you, staying his sword, attacking of his own initiative, or just going berserk and burning everything before obliterating whatever's left with a SphereOfDestruction. Depending on your choices during the course of the game, you could liberate the kingdom, storm the gates of Hell, storm the gates of ''Heaven'', or face down a robotic army led by Golden Silver, the final boss of ''VideoGame/GunstarHeroes''.

A sequel, ''Advance Guardian Heroes'' was released, [[SuperTitle64Advance as the name suggests]], on the GameBoyAdvance, which ties the game even closer with ''Gunstar Heroes''. In this game, the villains from the previous game have returned centuries later, ready to try again to take over the world. A young soldier allows himself to be possessed by the spirit that inhabited the Undead Hero to fight them again.

After roughly 15 years, Treasure announced in May 2011 that they would be re-releasing the original ''Guardian Heroes'' on {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade, as ''Guardian Heroes HD''. As the name implies, the game was updated with HD graphics, new artwork, new A.I., re-designed gameplay mechanics, a re-translated script, new voice-acting, online co-op, and a new 12-player online mode, although the option to play it like the original Saturn version is also available. It arrived on October 12, 2011, and at the low price of $4.99.

* {{Badass}}: A vast number of the characters, but especially Han, Ginjirou, and Valgar.

** There's an one-armed skeleton knight who is a head-swap of the Undead Hero.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: There are tons of [=NPCs=] in the game thanks to the branching mission structure, and everyone you interact with can be played with in the Versus Mode battle arena. Yes, even the villagers who die in one hit and have a two-fram ScratchDamage attack.

** Not only does it help reduce the damage taken, it can also give you random bursts of extra damage.
*** It also increases the amount of EXP you earn.
* MultipleEndings
* {{Ninja}}: Ginjirou. Also quite the GameBreaker.

* NonPlayerCharacter: Every single character in story mode (including neutral villagers) can be used in Versus Mode except for Princess Lucia, the King (Valgar and Lucia's father) and Manon F. Brown.

* PaletteSwap: Most of the enemies in Story Mode. Specifically, Valgar adopts a white armor when he joins the Sky Spirits in one of the possible routes. In Versus Mode, everyone gets at least six possible color schemes. When Mid (the giant monster plant in Stage 03) is defeated, his true form is revealed to be a palette swap of Randy's pet Nando.

* SchizoTech: You got your robots in my MedievalEuropeanFantasy! You got your MedievalEuropeanFantasy in my robots!
* ShoutOut: In the HD re-release of the game, Zur puts his own spin on the famous SegaGenesis [[TakeThat commercial]] before fighting you in Stage 25.

** In the GBA version, Serena became "Cerena."

* ThemeNaming

[-[[caption-width-right:326: Our heroes, rushing to battle.[[labelnote:Who?]]Clockwise from the left: Serena Corsair; Nicole Neil; Randy M. Green and his familiar, Nando; Ginjirou Ibushi; Samuel Han; and the Undead Warrior.[[/labelnote]]]]-]

''Guardian Heroes'' is, in a word, frantic. Lots of different characters, both playable and enemies, with nearly all of them available in the game's Versus Mode, with full six-player support. The gameplay is mostly two-dimensional, with the action spread across three planes, giving plenty of space for some massively large magic attacks. Of the heroes, each has a wide variety of attacks, plus magic spells which as their levels increase, get bigger and more destructive. Through the game, you're followed by the aforementioned Undead Hero, who can be given different commands such as protecting you, staying his sword, attacking of his own initiative, or just going crazy and burning everything before obliterating whatever's left with a SphereOfDestruction. Depending on your choices during the course of the game, you could liberate the kingdom, storm the gates of Hell, storm the gates of ''Heaven'', or face down a robotic army led by Golden Silver, the final boss of ''VideoGame/GunstarHeroes''.

After roughly 15 years, Treasure announced in May 2011 that they would be re-releasing the original ''Guardian Heroes'' on {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade, as ''Guardian Heroes HD''. As the name implies, the game was updated with HD graphics, new artwork, new A.I., re-designed gameplay mechanics, a re-translated script, new voice-acting, online co-op, and a new 12-player online mode, although the option to play it like the original Saturn version is also available. It arrived on October 12, 2011, and now costs $4.99.

See also ''VideoGame/CodeOfPrincess'', a SpiritualSuccessor of the game for the Nintendo3DS, and ''VideoGame/PhantomBreaker''[='=]s spin-off, ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' for the Xbox 360 and soon to be on {{PlayStation Vita}} and {{PlayStation 4}}.

* DarkIsNotEvil: Depending on what path you take.

* LightIsNotGood: Depending on which path you take.

* UpdatedRerelease: The HD version features (obviously) optional HD graphics, redrawn character artwork, new A.I., a re-translated script, and online multiplayer with an expanded 12-player Versus Mode. There's also the "Remix" mode of the game that changes quite a lot of how the game is played (you now have three attack buttons instead of two, normal attacks can be canceled with stronger attacks, MP is capped to 100, air-dashing is possible, etc.), although to play the game with the original mechanics are still available in "Original" mode.

A group of adventurers find a powerful magic sword, but unfortunately, so TheEmpire has been looking for that very weapon. A red-armored girl bursts into their room just as Imperial soldiers start streaming in. They fight their way out of the town to a nearby graveyard, only to be confronted by [[SchizoTech a robot.]] No, really. In the middle of a difficult fight, suddenly a massive armored skeleton, the sword's original owner, arises from his grave to claim it.

''Guardian Heroes'' is, in a word, frantic. Lots of different characters, both playable and enemies, with nearly all of them available in the game's vs. mode, with full six-player support. The gameplay is mostly two-dimensional, with the action spread across three planes, giving plenty of space for some massively large magic attacks. Of the heroes, each has a wide variety of attacks, plus magic spells which as their levels increase, get bigger and more destructive. Through the game, you're followed by the aforementioned Undead Hero, who can be given different commands such as protecting you, staying his sword, attacking of his own initiative, or just going crazy and burning everything before obliterating whatever's left with a SphereOfDestruction. Depending on your choices during the course of the game, you could liberate the kingdom, storm the gates of Hell, storm the gates of ''Heaven'', or face down a robotic army led by Golden Silver, the final boss of ''VideoGame/GunstarHeroes''.

After roughly 15 years, Treasure announced in May 2011 that they would be re-releasing the original ''Guardian Heroes'' on {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade, as ''Guardian Heroes HD''. As the name implies, the game would be updated with HD graphics, new artwork, new A.I., re-designed gameplay mechanics, a re-translated script, new voice-acting, online co-op, and a new 12-player online mode, although the option to play it like the original Saturn version would be available as well. It arrived on October 12, 2011, and now costs $4.99.

See also ''VideoGame/CodeOfPrincess'', a SpiritualSuccessor of the game for the Nintendo3DS; and ''VideoGame/PhantomBreaker''[='=]s spin-off, ''Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds'' for the Xbox 360 and soon to be on {{PlayStation Vita}} and {{PlayStation 4}}.

* ActionGirl: Serena.
* AIIsACrapshoot: [[GunstarHeroes Golden]] [[TheCameo Silver]] in Guardian Heroes.
* AncientConspiracy: [[spoiler: Heaven]] in ''Advance Guardian Heroes'', working for eons in order to create the Ultimate Warrior. [[TheUltimateWarrior Not that one,]] mind.

* BlindIdiotTranslation: Most of the script for Advance Guardian Heroes is like this, and in some spots (like the intro,) it becomes a full-on TranslationTrainWreck.
* CrutchCharacter: The original ''Guardian Heroes'' characters in the sequel, in an unusual example of this trope. Defeating one of them in battle allows you to borrow their power, which gives you massive stat boosts. If you still aren't leveling up your stats normally, though, it'll come back to bite you in the ass later, as you frequently lose those powers throughout the game (usually when you fight another one of the original party, as the party members you've already beaten come back out and fight against you again.) And at the end of the game, the final boss permanently removes these powers one by one.

* DifficultySpike

* EverythingIsBetterWithPrincesses: Lucia and [[spoiler: Serena.]]
* GoneHorriblyRight: [[spoiler: Heaven's]] plan to make Ultimate Warriors worked a little too well, what with [[spoiler: making the Undead Warrior a vessel strong enough to defeat Demon]] in ''Advance Guardian Heroes''.

** There's an one-armed skeleton knight who is a head-swap of the undead hero.

* HoistbyHisOwnPetard: [[spoiler: Heaven, and by extension, Demon]] in ''Advance Guardian Heroes''. First was their plan to make Ultimate Warriors as servants--[[spoiler: [[PhlebotinumRebel they never expected it to be strong enough to defeat them]] ]]. Second, when the final boss tries [[EarthShatteringKaboom destroying the Earth with a fireball]]--[[PlayingTennisWithTheBoss it gets reflected]] [[NiceJobFixingItVillain back at him]].

* LuckStat: Not only is luck used instead of defense (the higher your luck, the less damage enemies will do), Nicole's randomized magic types are dependent on luck; the higher the luck, the bigger they will be. Not always a good thing.

* NonPlayerCharacter: Every single character in story mode (including neutral villagers) can be used in versus mode except for Princess Lucia, the King (Valgar and Lucia's father) and Manon F. Brown.
* NonStandardGameOver: Fail to reflect the final boss' DesperationAttack in ''Advance Guardian Heroes'' and the [[EarthShatteringKaboom Earth explodes.]]

* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The undead warrior, who fights on your side throughout the game.

* PhlebotinumRebel: It turns out that [[spoiler: the player character]] is this in ''Advance Guardian Heroes''.

** It's what [[spoiler: defeats the final boss, in fact]].

* SphereOfDestruction: as with the KamehameHadoken, many characters have a spell looking like a magical energy grenade for the smaller ones, to what the game itself describes as a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "full screen explosion"]]

''Guardian Heroes'' is, in a word, frantic. Lots of different characters, both playable and enemies, with nearly all of them available in the game's vs. mode, with full six-player support. The gameplay is mostly two-dimensional, with the action spread across three planes, giving plenty of space for some massively large magic attacks. Of the heroes, each has a wide variety of attacks, plus magic spells which as their levels increase, get bigger and more destructive. Through the game, you're followed by the aforementioned Undead Hero, who can be given different commands such as protecting you, staying his sword, attacking of his own initiative, or just going crazy and burning everything before obliterating whatever's left with a SphereOfDestruction. Depending on your choices during the course of the game, you could liberate the kingdom, storm the gates of Hell, storm the gates of ''Heaven'', or face down a robotic army led by Golden Silver, the final boss of ''GunstarHeroes''.

A sequel, ''Advance Guardian Heroes'' was released, [[SuperTitle64Advance as the name suggests]], on the GameBoyAdvance, which ties the game even closer with ''GunstarHeroes''. In this game, the villains from the previous game have returned centuries later, ready to try again to take over the world. A young soldier allows himself to be possessed by the spirit that inhabited the Undead Hero to fight them again.

After roughly 15 years, Treasure announced in May 2011 that they would be re-releasing the original ''Guardian Heroes'' on {{Xbox 360}} via XboxLiveArcade, as ''Guardian Heroes HD''. As the name implies, the game would be updated with HD graphics, new artwork, new AI, a re-translated script, new voice acting, online co-op, and a new 12-player online mode, although the option to play it like the original Saturn version would be available as well. It arrived October 12, 2011, and costs 800 Microsoft Points.

See also ''VideoGame/CodeOfPrincess'', a SpiritualSuccessor of the game for the Nintendo3DS.

----

A group of adventurers find a powerful magic sword, but unfortunately, so TheEmpire has been looking for that very weapon. A red-armored girl bursts into their room just as Imperial soldiers start streaming in. They fight their way out of the town to a nearby graveyard, only to be confronted by a [[SchizoTech a robot.]] No, really. In the middle of a difficult fight, suddenly a massive armored skeleton, the sword's original owner, arises from his grave to claim it.

* NonPlayerCharacter: Princess Lucia (Valgar's sister), the King and Manon F. Brown (Randy's mentor) are the only characters who are not playable in Versus Mode. Manon is a bit more notable than the others, considering that he is a head-swap of Kanon.

* ShoutOutThemeNaming: Edward and Randy are named after Edward Randy, the main character from the DataEast arcade platformer ''The Cliffhanger''.

* ShoutOutThemeNaming: Edward and Randy are named after Edward Randy, the main character from the Data East arcade platformer ''The Cliffhanger''.

* NotSoHarmless: Zur, after he steals Valgar's magic and becomes Super Zur.

** Also the original, to some extent. It ''is'' {{Treasure}} after all.

A magically-supercharged BeatEmUp for the SegaSaturn by {{Treasure}}

* NintendoHard: ''Advance Guardian Heroes''. You get only one life, unless you make a DealWithTheDevil, and even in that case, you can only use it to preview some more of the stage for your next attempt before you die regardless, and using it even once leads to a BadEnding. Thankfully, the game allows you to start over from your last save with no penalties.

See also ''VideoGame/CodeOfPrincess'', SpiritualSuccessor for the Nintendo3DS.

** The initials of the other main heroes in ''Advance Guardian Heroes'' (including those from the previous games) form the game's title: '''A'''dmilla, '''D'''ylan, '''Va'''lgar, '''N'''icole, '''C'''erena, '''E'''do, '''G'''injiro and '''H'''an (Advance GH). Granted, Cerena was originally named "[[SpellMyNameWithAnS Serena]]" and Edo is actually Randy's pet possessing Randy's body, so they cheated a bit to make this work.

[-[[caption-width-right:326: Our heroes, rushing to battle.[[labelnote:Who?]]Clockwise from the left: Serena Corsair; Nicole Neil; Randy M. Green and his familiar, Nando; Ginjirou Ibushi; Samuel Han; and the Undead Warrior.[[/labelnote]]-]

[-[[caption-width-right:326: Our heroes, rushing to battle.[[hottip:*:Clockwise from the left: Serena Corsair; Nicole Neil; Randy M. Green and his familiar, Nando; Ginjirou Ibushi; Samuel Han; and the Undead Warrior.]]]]-]

* CrutchCharacter: The original ''GuardianHeroes'' characters in the sequel, in an unusual example of this trope. Defeating one of them in battle allows you to borrow their power, which gives you massive stat boosts. If you still aren't leveling up your stats normally, though, it'll come back to bite you in the ass later, as you frequently lose those powers throughout the game (usually when you fight another one of the original party, as the party members you've already beaten come back out and fight against you again.) And at the end of the game, the final boss permanently removes these powers one by one.